Republic of Kenya

Kenya, country in East Africa famed for its scenic landscapes and vast wildlife preserves. Its Indian Ocean coast provided historically important ports by which goods from Arabian and Asian traders have entered the continent for many centuries. Along that coast, which holds some of the finest beaches in Africa, are predominantly Muslim Swahili cities such as Mombasa, a historic center that has contributed much to the musical and culinary heritage of the country.

Some of the Many Reasons to Visit Kenya

Kenya is undoubtedly the Hollywood of safaris, and if you can stomach the paparazzi (in the form of legions of camera-wielding tourists), you’re in for a mind-blowing show.

Answering the question of “Why holiday in Kenya?” is nearly impossible, as everyone who has been will have a different answer depending on what they most loved about the country.

Here are the main reasons you should go on safari in this spectacular country:

1. Fun and adventureIf you love fun and adventure, Kenya is a melting pot with an
endless array of activities and destinations that promise undiluted fun. It is
the world center for animal safaris and active adventure holidays. Enjoy
wildlife safaris, bird watching, windsurfing, horseback riding, golfing,
canoeing, kayaking, sailing, mountain biking, snorkeling, scuba diving, hot air
ballooning, mountain climbing, hiking, water skiing, fishing, and many more
wonderful activities.

Birds

Kenya is a birder’s mecca, hosting over 1100 species of birds.
That’s more than there are in the entire North American continent!

Big Tuskers

There are very few elephants alive that carry the ivory of the
giants of the past. However, if you wish to see, arguably, Africa’s most
magnificent bulls, Tsavo National Park should be on your itinerary.

Cats

There’s a reason why the BBC chose Kenya’s Masai Mara as the
location for their television series “Big Cat Diaries”. This is
undoubtedly one of the best places in the world to watch the big felines in
action.

Underwater safaris

Kenya has some excellent diving. At Watamu Marine National
Park, green turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Nearby Moray Reef is
excellent for octopus and whale shark.

The endless plains

The quintessential open savannahs mean that, for much of the
year, you can see for miles, which makes it easier to spot animals and affords
excellent opportunities to watch not only the huge ungulate herds, but to
witness the predators hunting them.

Climbing Mount Kenya

Not all the attractions of Kenya are found in its plains
areas. Mount Kenya, Africa’s second tallest peak, has three separate summits
that offer climbs of varying degrees of difficulty. This mountain is a prime
example of the diverse menu of adventures that are available in Kenya. People
can choose a route up Mount Kenya that includes trekking and scrambling, while
more experienced climbers can opt for a route that requires mountaineering
skills.

2. AffordabilityWith a favorable exchange rate against many international
currencies, Kenya is a inexpensive tourist destination. Exchange rates are
currently around KES 83-86 to a US Dollar, KES 129 to a Sterling Pound and KES
110 to a Euro.

The cost of living is much lower in Kenya compared to Europe
or the United States. Credit cards, including Visa, Master Card, and American
Express, are widely accepted in all major hotels and establishments.

With the affordability, you can shop
until you drop.
The medley of European, African and Arab architecture that defines Old Town
dates from the 16th century and the maze of winding streets is bustling, its
air heavy with the scent of spices. Buildings are ramshackle and beautiful: the
traditional wooden Arabic doors and fretwork balconies (designed to protect the
modesty of female inhabitants) are charming.

Longhaul flights are usually better
priced than they are into surrounding countries. With Kenya Airways
being one of Africa's leading airlines, the inter-Africa connectivity from Nairobi is extremely good and affordable.

Low cost safari is probably
the number one reason that people visit Kenya.

3.
Natural BeautyFrom snow-capped mountains to the deep Rift Valley with its
extinct volcanoes and hot springs, Kenya offers a breathtaking natural beauty
that is distinctly spectacular. Inland, there are wide-open plains and
savannahs, arid deserts and undisturbed forests. Along the coast, there are
magnificent sandy beaches and access to amazing coral reefs. Kenya has
something for everyone.

The mystical forests of Mount Kenya and the Aberdares National
Park provide a hauntingly beautiful setting for animals like elephant, buffalo
and leopard, and are well worth a visit for those wanting something different
on their safari itinerary.

Tens of thousands of lesser and greater flamingos gather in
the alkaline lakes of the Great Rift Valley and turn them from blue to pink.
Best places to see this breathtaking spectacle would be Lake Nakuru and Lake
Bogoria.

Nature lovers will love Mombasa as it gives you the
opportunity to get up close and personal with giraffes, reptiles, birds, and
other wild animals. You will be able to hand-feed some of these animals as
tortoises wander around your feet and you take a closer look at all the
varieties of wildlife that make Kenya truly special.

4. WildlifeKenya is the home of the wildlife safari, and offers some of
the best and most accessible game viewing in the world, including the
hard-to-resist attraction of the "Big Five" (lion, leopard,
elephant, buffalo, and rhino).

Go on safari to spot the "Big Five" animals in the
wild, or simply enjoy Kenya’s history, culture, and lifestyle.

Kenya has some expansive and attractive national parks.
Visitors can enjoy traveling through the scenic and wildlife landscapes of the
Great Rift Valley or enjoy an expedition to view the large cats of the
expansive Maasai Mara National Park.

Kenya is a country where nature has been exceedingly gracious.
Within one country, you can travel through lush green forests, deserts,
equatorial rainforests, montane vegetation, mountains, and witness thousands of
wildlife, birdlife, and insect life species being supported and sustained
within the respective ecology.

Therefore, if Wildlife and Nature
Experience is key for you, then a visit to Kenya will provide an authentic
African experience.

5. Cultural Interaction Do you have a diverse and open-minded personality about
other cultures and their ways of life, and enjoy reading and learning more
about people from other parts of the world, especially Africa? If you answered
yes to any of these questions, come enjoy a genuine African experience by
visiting the diverse cultures, ways of life and traditions of the people of
Kenya.
Kenya is renowned for its diverse culture and heritage. Despite the numerous
ethnic tribes that exist, Kenyans embrace a great sense of unity, peace,
acceptance and closeness as one people and one country; all strong virtues of
traditional African culture. The Kenyan people are warm, friendly, and
hospitable.

Kenya is a culturally diverse place that is home to many
different ethnic and cultural groups. Perhaps the most well known of these are
the storied Maasai people, who are known for their survival skills and hunting
prowess.

One of the most exciting aspects of a safari in Kenya is
the chance to meet and interact with local tribespeople...

If you want to add a touch of true and firsthand
anthropology to your credentials, then plan a visit to Kenya.

6. Food and DrinkKenya coffee, tea and beer have received accolades as
some of the best products in the world. Kenya also has a rich variety of
cuisine. The ethnic cuisine of Kenya's various tribes includes the famous nyama
choma and ugali.

In the restaurants, you will find a sophisticated blend
of European standards with ethnic Kenyan food. There is also a host of
international cuisine available in restaurants and hotels including Italian,
American, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, French, Mexican, Korean and Lebanese
dishes.

Kenyans
love food, and the cultural mix of Mombasa’s coastline means you’re never far
from an exotic treat.

7. Beach
destination of MombasaMombasa is Kenya’s second largest city. It is much
more laid back than Nairobi and boasts some great beaches and a good restaurant
and nightlife scene. Nearby unspoilt islands and mangrove forests make it
possible for nature-lovers to add an element of adventure to their stay in
Mombasa.

After you have seen enough of the Kenyan wildlife,
take a trip into the city and check out Old Town for yourself. The life and
character of the place are infectious and you’ll find yourself swept up in the
vivacious culture. Markets are everywhere and the old style buildings are
currently under consideration as a UNESCO Heritage Site. The Portuguese Fort
Jesus is the most visited tourist attraction in the city of Mombasa – it is an
amazing place.

It all starts with finding a place to stay and there
are a number of great options. Whether you’re looking for a cheaper stay or a 5
star ocean front villa, there is something for everyone in Mombasa. Then once
you get settled it is time to start exploring.

The areas surrounding Mombasa are a paradise for
fans of outdoor pursuits and autumn provides the best weather for having a go. South
of the city is the vibrant Diani, with a wealth of water sports and idyllic
places to stay.

With 480 km of beautiful coastline, Kenya has a
variety of coastal locations to visit, ranging from quaint little fishing
villages with hardly any cars to be seen, to thriving tourist areas with every
amenity for party animals or families. Tall palm trees gently swaying in the
cool breeze – it’s just heaven.

If you want to enjoy your time on the Indian Ocean's
warm turquoise waters with a book in your hand while soaking up the most sun
and with plenty of white sandy beaches to take home to make up for the
nostalgia you will face, then Kenya is the right place to enjoy your vacation.

Imagine beauties far more spectacular than anything
ever seen in reality except on television. We are talking about the magic
beneath the waters of the Indian Ocean: corals exist with rainbow colors as if
someone conscientiously painted these seemingly dead rocks with blue, red,
green and yellow; fishes deep down in the sea have evolved luminous scales
making the schools of fish look like a huge gigantic fish, and where wild
dolphins and whale sharks curiously examine the commotion when your boat sails
by and compliment the scene with a very close and friendly encounters.

8. Home
of SafarisWhen most people think of Kenya, the first things
that come to mind is a safari tour. Kenya is widely considered to be the home
of safari.
This is a wildlife-rich country, with famous safari destination like the
Serengeti Plain offering tourists the chance to enjoy a classic safari
experience.

During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth
century it was Kenya which hosted the greatest and best-known private hunting
safaris. It was here that American presidents and European royalty chose to
spend their time in pursuit of hunting trophies, immortalised in Hollywood
blockbusters such as the 1953 Mogambo with Clark Gable and Ava Gardner.

Kenya is therefore one of the first places that
people turn to for their first safari, an obvious port of call for
people who who are only just starting to learn about Africa.

The combination of a week on safari and a week or
more on a tropical beach is a magical one, which only Kenya and Tanzania are
really well placed to offer.

Both Kenya and Tanzania have safari and beach in
close proximity. An hour or two in a light aircraft can see you fly directly
out of a dirt airstrip in a prime game reserves to a small airport down on the
palm-lined coast.

Kenya is also uniquely positioned to offer safari in
combination with beach in the Seychelles and other more remote Indian Ocean
islands. Besides the fact that safari is a Swahili word...

9. ClimateKenya enjoys a wonderful tropical climate. It
is generally warm all year round, with plenty of sunshine and cooler nights and
mornings. Visitors are able to enjoy most activities on the beaches and in the
national parks all year round. Since Kenya lies on the equator, the seasonal
temperature changes are not extreme.

10.
Wildebeest MigrationThe wildebeest
migration in Maasai Mara is one of the natural wonders and beauties of the
world.

1.6 million Wildebeest, 250,000 zebra (and 450,000 gazelle)
partake annually in this powerful movement of animals between Tanzania’s
Serengeti and Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Nevertheless, the Mara must surely be the
most dramatic of all their obstacles.

Although the Masai Mara is a small part of the overall system,
it particularly plays host to a large proportion of the wildebeest and zebra
migration during a peak visitor season July to October... it is a
wonderfully pretty area.